Cross River State recorded a major security breakthrough on Friday as 80 militants operating in Akpabuyo Local Government Area voluntarily laid down their arms under the state government’s amnesty programme.
The Nigerian Army said the surrender occurred in the early hours of January 16, 2026, when the militants emerged from the creeks and reported for amnesty at Atimbo Rear Area, Operation OKWOK, in Akpabuyo.
In a statement by Headquarters 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, the militants were said to have come from two notorious camps.
The first group, led by ThankGod Ebikontei, also known as Ayibanuagha, surrendered 39 fighters, while the second camp, headed by John Isaac, popularly called Akpokolo, presented 41 fighters. Akpokolo’s group is widely known as the Akpokolo Marine Forces or Border Boys.
The former militants handed over various weapons and items, including three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one Mark 4 rifle, one G3 rifle, 12 single-barrel guns, 10 AK-47 magazines, three speedboats, four boat engines, one C4 explosive, assorted ammunition, military kits, tools and locally fabricated w+apons.
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